Those Headlights.

[fusionist]

Headlights are kinda a big deal for me on sports cars. I refuse to own anything with pop-ups from the '80s, even though there are some great cars.

The first time I saw a boxster in person I thought the headlights were beautiful! Seriously! I remember checking them out up close in a parking lot and being amazed. I'm sure I'm not alone too because the concept car was a huge hit and the boxster was an sales sensation for Porsche. I have a boxster book that put those headlight on the cover as an art shot. What I originally liked about them was that you could see the swept back evolution of the 993 headlights yet you could still see the original 911 headlights in them. Plus all the lights were contained in one which was a new thing at the time, making for a cleaner front end.

As time passed people seemed to tire of the fried eggs. Soon they went clear, which is what I have on my 2003. Then the 987 came out with sort of rounded triangle shaped lights which pretty much everyone seemed to think was better. I mean it was newer which is good right? Like everybody else I had headlight envy for the newest latest headlights.

Lately I'm starting to quickly tire of the new lights on the 987. Mostly what I think is wearing on me is that they are so similar to the Panamera and Cayenne which are kinda ugly cars. Porsche seems to be using that shape now on everything that's not a 911. Am I the only one seeing this?

[MIMA]

+1 i agree w you 987 headlights aint all that...
to me nothing beats litronics headlights on boxster. Mine is 03 as well
...my lights look like fried eggs with some ketchup now...





must get LiT soon...too bad they are still so expensive...

[jmatta]

I have no problem with the headlights on my 986...I installed 996 units that I deambered, as I prefer the clear look. They look pretty nice on this model, as well.

The 987 headlamps look like they came off a Mini Cooper.

[blue2000s]

How can you not like pop-up headlights? It's so cool to be sitting in the driver's seat and see them rotate into place. And the mechanical/electric sound the make while doing it has to make you smile.

BTW, it's not just the 80s, there have been some fantastic cars that used them from the 60s into the 90s.

[ChrisZang]

I have to agree that the 986 headlights have grown on me.
I prefer them over the triangular shape of the 987 lights.
Nevertheless I still think that the 993/997 round headlights look better

[fusionist]

Pop ups just don't do it for me. They are so angular and really come from that Italian wedge shape school of design. I think they are anti Porsche style... which has always been more about curves and volumes. I love the Ferrari 308 or Acura NSX but even then I have a hard time with the pop ups. I didn't realize there were pop up enthusiasts.

[Lawdevil]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

BTW, it's not just the 80s, there have been some fantastic cars that used them from the 60s into the 90s.

Like the 914! I had one and loved it!
mike

[demick]

It does seem a little as if this 914 driver has lost his head; why else whould he have the headlights extended?